Oscars 2010: 'Be Creative, It's Not A Waste of Time'

Overall, the 2010 Academy Awards were entertaining, a bit long (but not the longest on Oscar record at 4 hours plus), but still worthy of the show’s reputation as Hollywood’s Biggest Night.  The sets, the presenters and summaries were well done, but our sectional wasn't long enough to contain our fidgeting bodies while sitting through the long, and sometimes, dull broadcast. This year's Oscars could have used more creativity and a quicker pace to avoid rushing Tom Hanks to get through his presentation for Best Picture which went to the “Hurt Locker”. It was an abrupt end to a very long-awaited grand finale.

I was a little disappointed with Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin’s banter during the show; it was deadpan, the timing on some of the jokes was off, and evidently some actors failed to see the humor in their bits – George Clooney clearly let the bumbling hosts know they stunk when they referred to him in a gag and Clooney responded with a stern stink eye – whether playing along or not, I too would have tried to send them messages with my looks if I had to sit through their agonizing opening monologue.

I really wanted to see a repeat of last year’s Oscar’s Show format – it was impressive and certainly left an impression on me – having past Oscar winners speak directly to the nominees was a personal touch that made an otherwise lofty program more down to earth. Instead, co-stars spoke to their corresponding nominee and though touching, some were too detached or sappy. Nevertheless, I hope to see this arrangement back next year.

Neil Patrick Harris always blows me away with his multi-talented self, but not last night. Sorry, I just couldn’t keep from staring at the dangling ear piece, it distracted me. But, a showman he is and ignored the listening devise going on with the show.

Traditionally, the most entertaining part of the Academy Awards show is the Red Carpet where celebrities are caught in unrehearsed interviews about their chosen attire and any other off-the-cuff question the correspondents boldly come up with. I'm not a fashion expert (just ask my teenage daughter), so I'll leave this opinion to the “Fashion Experts”- be it the “Fashion Police” or any of the entertainment news panels that will surely be on tonight critiquing the star's gowns, etc.

I, on the other hand, kept flipping channels trying to catch several TV networks at work. E! was fun to watch, but not so much for the dresses chosen by the female correspondents.

The ABC crew, though knowledgeable about the industry, lacked that je ne sais quoi Red Carpet personality. In fact, the entire ABC team (except for Randolph Duke) along with Kathy Ireland was stiff and failed to make me feel relaxed enough to hang out with them.

What was up with Miss Ireland’s right hand? It was awkwardly straightened out as if trying to keep the huge bangles on her wrist from slipping off. Though she looked stunning, she was painfully difficult to watch; nerves, tight dress or aching heels, whatever was hurting her she showed it.

The good part of the show was the winners.

I saw the “Hurt Locker” and was taken aback by the potent war scenes which made my heart ache for the troops and the nasty jobs they have to do.  I experienced a full range of emotions watching this film: Anger, sadness, despair, laughter and joy. Kathryn Bigelow deserved her award for Best Director simply because I think having a woman capture the male’s angle on war while simultaneously adding the family’s perspective during warfare to the movie was touching.

I’ll confess, I was the only one in my family who just couldn’t muster up the energy to sit through “Avatar”, so I didn’t, and was hoping it didn’t win simply based on the absence of humans in the film. Maybe I’m getting old, but Sci-Fi is difficult for me to swallow.

I was rooting for Sandra Bullock to win Best Actress from the get go. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Meryl Streep, and will watch anything she’s in confidently knowing she’ll make the film worth my time and money. But, I was ready for a fresh face to nab this top award, and obviously wasn’t the only one.  I watched “The Blind Side” and was admittedly blindsided by Bullock’s convincing part (and who gets tired of her girl-next-door look?). Can’t get enough of Michel Orr’s true story, it gripped me and pulled me into the film’s inspirational message … still with me today.

I love the yearly pomp and circumstance of the Oscars in Hollywood. It’s also a safe family date-night in front of the television (though it may not be entertaining for every age). I especially like the speeches which include thanking parents for their support or inspiration – they always get to me. I hope the kids get the messages of perseverance and gratitude, too. Listening to these award-winning adults thank their parents, and watching some of them tear up as they do, is a remarkable example of the gratitude children should be aware of towards their parents.

What is your favorite thing about the Oscars? What keeps you in front of the TV set for three or four hours at a time? ( If you inlcude the Red Carpet, then it's over 5 hours!)

Finally, quoting Michael Giacchino, who had just won an Oscar for Achievement in Music written for motion pictures (Original score) for the movie “Up“, and was thanking his parents for supporting him throughout his creative life,

“If you want to be creative, get out there and do it. It’s not a waste of time”